Seattle PD McGinn
Trying to overcome a long stretch of bad publicity and a federal inquiry, Seattle police are announcing a leadership team of 34 officers to implement new reforms. (mayormcginn.seattle.gov)

Seattle Police Department team takes on riot control, police reforms

BY Tim Haeck  on May 10, 2012 @ 12:39 pm (Updated: 1:17 pm - 5/10/12 )

Trying to overcome a long stretch of bad publicity and a federal inquiry, Seattle police are announcing a leadership team of 34 officers to implement new reforms.

Seattle Police Chief John Diaz says the leadership team will focus on 20 previously announced police reforms called the SPD 20/20 Plan.

"Ultimately, I'm accountable for implementing this program and I believe with the men and woman that are involved in this, they're extremely talented, we are going to make that committment happen," said Diaz.

Police announced the members of the team at a news conference Thursday at Seattle Police Headquarters.

Assistant Chief Mike Sanford says implementation team members will focus on individuals reforms identified in the SPD 20/20 plan. The first reform involves improving the way police handle protests.

"And our goal as a police department is to figure out the tactics that allow us to get past the peaceful demonstrators to the criminals, as quickly as we can, without intervening in the demnonstration. That is complex," Sanford said.

Other reforms spelled out in the SPD 20/20 Plan include improving ways to de-escalate violent situations, updating use-of-force standards, and increasing transparency and accountability.

Mayor Mike McGinn insists the SPD 20/20 initiative is separate from needed changes outlined in a U.S. Justice Department investigation into excessive use of force by Seattle Police.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (4)


  • Add A Comment

  • R L M 456 wrote...
    Trying to overcome a long stretch of bad publicity
    May 10, 2012 7:12 pm
    Trying to overcome a long stretch of ""DESERVED"" bad publicity --

    Sorry MyNorthwest, you left out a very important word.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    SWEET!
    May 10, 2012 9:17 pm
    "The first reform involves improving the way police handle protests." So can they now taze, beat, and fire rubber bullets at the portland hippies that invade seattle? why is mcschwinn villifying the cops instead of the criminals?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Truth Hurts wrote...
    Sorry SPD,
    May 10, 2012 9:36 pm
    We are not fooled by the 'Lip-Service'

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    As long as there is a swat team . . . .
    May 11, 2012 4:00 am
    SPD is safe to eat donuts and let the big boys to do their work.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }